Armenia eyes Indian Pralay missiles to counter Azerbaijan's arsenal

After contracts concerning military equipment with France, Armenia seeks to acquire Indian Pralay ballistic missiles. What are the capabilities of this weapon?

According to Asian media, the Armenian government is striving for an agreement with India regarding the purchase of Pralay ballistic missiles. This effort aims to balance the missile capabilities of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as Azerbaijan is armed with LORA ballistic missiles from Israel Aerospace Industries, which offer a range of about 174 miles. Negotiations with India are another sign of Armenia's shift away from arms contracts with Russia. For some, it also indicates Armenia might be considering leaving the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

In recent months, Armenia has significantly strengthened its ties with France. It has acquired Ground Master 200 radars, Mistral short-range air defense systems, and Bastion armored vehicles from this European country. There have also been talks about acquiring Caesar's self-propelled howitzers.

Compared to LORA, Indian Pralay ballistic missiles offer a greater range, reaching up to 311 miles, which could provide Armenia with substantial long-range attack capability in the event of another conflict. Warhead weights range from about 1,100 to even 2,200 pounds.

These missiles use inertial guidance and are launched from a self-propelled platform. Each missile measures over 23 feet long and has a launch weight of about 5.5 tons.

This is relatively new weaponry, with development starting in 2015 and the first tests conducted only in 2021. According to the manufacturer, DRDO, Pralay ballistic missiles offer high accuracy with an average error not exceeding 33 feet.

So far, there has been no information on how the Indian authorities view the potential sale of Pralay ballistic missiles. It is worth noting, however, that this would not be the first Indian weapon in the service of the Armenian army. Armenia already possesses Indian Pinaka rocket systems with a maximum range of about 56 miles. However, Pralay ballistic missiles have not been exported until now.